Just Finished

Will start


Meredith

Decided to listen to Blind Eye - Stuart MacBride (audio).

JanOMalleycat wrote: "I begged: "Now. . .remind me of how you do the "exclusive" and "non-exclusive" thing. "

Never mind, Carol. I found it! Not so sure I could find it again, but that's my story on Goodreads. I tend to go to someplace that's a likely start and then start clicking everything in sight. Most of the time it works!
..."

It's a good thing you did, because I would have had to tell you that before responding I clicked around and couldn't find how to do it, but I knew I had done it and my shelves reflected that. Now I see that Alias has helpfully posted your instructions in the GR help folder.

Alias said: "I like the bookshelf feature on GR. "

I do too, Alias. The bookshelves definitely make the move from AOL worth it. That and the lack of craziness about able to post, not able, able to see all posts, etc. ;-)

We discussed Cummings' Art: The World's Greatest Paintings Explored and Explained when we read The Luncheon of the Boating Party. I liked that one so much that I also got his Great Artists: The Lives of 50 Painters Explored Through Their Work.

I'm reading it in tiny increments, sort of whenever I think of it. I put it in my Currently Reading shelf to try to push myself along a little. It's a huge book and I'm kind of tired of having it out and taking up so much space.

Jan O'Cat, never satisfied

Jan, I see you are reading: Great Artists: The Lives of 50 Painters Explored Through Their Work by Robert Cumming.



I know we discussed Robert Cumming when I recommended his book Art: the world's greatest paintings explored and explained.


I just checked and my library has Great Artists, so I requested it.

I like the bookshelf feature on GR.

Jan, I just made "did not finish" shelves exclusive and did not have to go back and unclick them from READ or TO BE READ.

Thanks again. Your directions were very clear.

J

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I have the "did not finish" shelf too but then the books still appear/ get listed under "currently reading". Do you mean there is a way to change this? HOW?"

JoAnn,
I've tried to duplicate my path and I hope it will help you.

First go to My Books above.

Click on Did Not Finish shelf on the left.

If you have books listed there, there is a column with the shelf names of the various books. The shelf name Did Not Finish should appear in that column. Under the shelf name is a tiny "edit." Click on "edit."

You'll get a pull-down with all of your shelves listed. At the very bottom there is "edit shelves." Click on that.

From there you get a list of your shelves and what you can do with them. Click to make Did Not Finish "exclusive." There's a paragraph at the right that explains this. This means that books can appear on your DNF list WITHOUT also being on any of the other lists.

After this I would think that you'd have to go back to all your books on your DNF shelf and unclick them from the "read" or "to be read" shelves. I don't think it will do this all by itself, but I don't know.

Hope this helps. This is NOT the path I followed this morning, so obviously there are various ways of getting there.

Jan O'Cat

I have the "did not finish" shelf too but then the books still appear/ get listed under "currently reading". Do you mean there is a way to change this? HOW?

I begged: "Now. . .remind me of how you do the "exclusive" and "non-exclusive" thing. "

Never mind, Carol. I found it! Not so sure I could find it again, but that's my story on Goodreads. I tend to go to someplace that's a likely start and then start clicking everything in sight. Most of the time it works!

Jan O'Cat, not has a "did not finish" shelf and sees that others have them as well.

Carol suggested: "Isn't that what "exclusive" versus "nonexclusive" shelves are all about? I have a Determination List shelf, and it appears to stand on its own, equal to the Read, To-Be-Read and Currently Reading shelves. When I created it it was nonexclusive by default, which meant that my books appeared two places, on the TBR shelf and the DL shelf. But once I made it exclusive, it only appeared on the DL shelf."

Thanks, Carol. I thought we'd discussed this somewhere and was hoping that someone would remind me. Now. . .remind me of how you do the "exclusive" and "non-exclusive" thing. Thanks!

Jan O'Cat

JanOMalleycat wrote: "But it seems that all books in one's lists here must fall into one of the default categories of "read," "currently reading," or "to be read." ..."

Jan, I don't think this is true. Isn't that what "exclusive" versus "nonexclusive" shelves are all about? I have a Determination List shelf, and it appears to stand on its own, equal to the Read, To-Be-Read and Currently Reading shelves. When I created it it was nonexclusive by default, which meant that my books appeared two places, on the TBR shelf and the DL shelf. But once I made it exclusive, it only appeared on the DL shelf.

JoAnn & Leslie, thank you for sharing your comments on The Reserve. It'll be fun to see where i end up on that spectrum.

deborah

Jan
So, I created a "Did Not Finish" shelf on Goodreads and Living By Fiction was going to be my first entry. But it seems that all books in one's lists here must fall into one of the default categories of "read," "currently reading," or "to be read." Of course a "did not (and don't intend to) finish" book doesn't fit in any of those, so I finally just deleted the book.
--------------------

You should suggest that on the Feedback board.

I'm currently reading Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell. This was recommended here long ago by our Connie and everyone who's read it has loved it. Add me to that group! The language is beautiful and the characters and setting are far from usual. I find the idea of a quest by a young girl very intriguing and wonder where it will lead. I'm at the 40% mark.

After about 33%, I put down one of my determination reads Living by Fiction by Annie Dillard. The book was written over 20 years ago and I found Dillard's comments about the "newness" of fragmenting time and point of view to be dated. It seems to me that jumping back and forth in time and from pov to pov is almost usual now. I'd guess that at least half of the books I read have those elements, to a greater or lesser extent.

The datedness, plus the fact that nearly all of Dillard's references are to books I haven't read finally discouraged me. She makes some good points, but I wasn't enthralled and finally gave up.

So, I created a "Did Not Finish" shelf on Goodreads and Living By Fiction was going to be my first entry. But it seems that all books in one's lists here must fall into one of the default categories of "read," "currently reading," or "to be read." Of course a "did not (and don't intend to) finish" book doesn't fit in any of those, so I finally just deleted the book.

Jan O'Cat

I didn't know Michael Malone had a new book out. I think he is a hoot.

I was one who thought The Reserve was just OK and I think I listened to it on audio. It was good enough to keep me from falling asleep at the wheel.

madrano wrote: "

My next novel.

deborah"

I loved "The Reserve" Deborah, but think I was in the minority.

Next on my list to read are:


The Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens (this is the free book I won here on Goodreads so I hope to start it next).

Becky

My next novel.

deborah

This afternoon, I sat and listened to Jamica Inn - Daphne Du Maurier (audio).

Oh sorry JoAnn, read wrong (oops).

Gave up on A Home for Rose - Jon Katz, just couldn't get into it this time. So I am going back to read The Brutal Art - Jesse Kellerman

Fiona, the book cover I was talking about is NOT the Katz book - it is Lost Recipe for Happiness

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "one other annoyance about the book I just mentioned...the dog on the cover bears no resemblance to the description of the dog in the book. How difficult would it have been to do the picture correct..."

I will carry on readin this JoAnn. I stopped as I needed some excitement in a book and my genre of Crime & Thriller novels are what I class exciting lol.

one other annoyance about the book I just mentioned...the dog on the cover bears no resemblance to the description of the dog in the book. How difficult would it have been to do the picture correctly???

I am now reading something pretty light Lost Recipe for Happiness. This is about all I can handle just now. I am too distracted.

The food part of the book is carrying me along but the rest is just so-so. The romance (aka sex) is a bit too graphic for me, unnecessarily so.

I don't usually object to this, but it is out of place. It is almost like she went back and put sex scenes in so it would get an "R" rating. She may as well have just stuck post-it notes in the text!

...and I somehow do not think an author is comfortable with the sex when she is describing a sex scene and uses the words "his member" and "his organ". hee haw

I will finish this book just to see how it turns out.

I have just finished Whistleblower - Tess Gerritsen. Going to carry on readin A Home For Rose - Jon Katz.

I was pleased to meet the superintendent of the Fairfield cemetery, and actually have the information about my great grandfather's birth and death on hand. Sounds like the next decision is what to include on the marker.

He wasn't buried near his parents, but next to his grandparents, on the other side of the grounds. It's really quite lovely there, up on a hill, looking out on one side toward town, on the other to farms and wheat fields. I imagine his mother was not amused, since he was killed in a fight with a friend clear across the state, and she had to bring him home for burial. On this trip I learned that as a teenager he left home for good after an argument with his older brother. Apparently he was so angry he burned down a haystack on the farm. The stories that live after us!

I will finish Atomic Farmgirl today, also That Championship Season. Then I'll get The Worst Hard Time.

Carol said, Deborah, this was made into a poignant film in 2005 starring Joan Plowright. If you haven't seen it it is definitely worth renting

I just rented Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont from Netflix a couple of weeks ago and it was delightful.

madrano wrote: "Last night i finished Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor. It was short & rather sweet. I didn't know what to expect but realized upon completion that it was all i'd want. How rare is..."

Deborah, this was made into a poignant film in 2005 starring Joan Plowright. If you haven't seen it it is definitely worth renting.

Deborah, the cemetery near me is untended and unmarked. But the town knows about it. When the land was developed, the lot was set aside, needless to say, and cannot be built upon. It is tiny....maybe 75 by 75 feet.

Jennifer wrote: "How sad but if there is a current family member looking for the site of burial it would I am sure please them to know that you have it taken care of the plots and are respecting the person laid to rest there. I just love history like that."

I agree, Jennifer, it is my favorite type of history, probably because it is personal. And, of course, there is the hope someone somewhere else is tending the graves of our ancestors, too.

Deb, thanks for the idea. Frankly, i'm not even sure where the land (undeveloped) is situated. That is, which city or county. It's only been in the family 35 years. ;-) However, i intend to find out tomorrow when i see my dad. Thanks for the encouragement.

deborah

That is really cool. Knowing that you have a piece of American history on your land is amazing. I know that in pioneer times families moved alot and had to leave the graves of loved ones lost. How sad but if there is a current family member looking for the site of burial it would I am sure please them to know that you have it taken care of the plots and are respecting the person laid to rest there. I just love history like that. BTW, Barbara Delinsky wrote a great book a few years ago about family and their history if anyone is interested its call "The Vineyard" its one of my favorites because she shows how we should respect the past of our family so that we have something in the the future.

they discovered a small graveyard among some trees. I've often wondered if/how to share the names for those interested in the names/ancestors.

Deborah - check with a local historical society. There are sometimes groups who catalogue old cemetaries and then there is a record, so that if someone is checking on family history they have a record of it. We had a group where I used to live that take it on themselves to clean up these old cemetaries and even reset the stones. They have found many old plots that have just been forgottem.

Deb

Last night i finished Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor. It was short & rather sweet. I didn't know what to expect but realized upon completion that it was all i'd want. How rare is that?

deborah

Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "I'm rereading Atomic Farmgirl by Terri Hein...I discovered that I am related to one of the women the book features. In fact, now that I have seen the area, met people, and even found my great grandfather's unmarked grave (plans are underway to mark it), the book has taken on a whole new level of meaning for me.

Sherry, how neat is that?! I recall that you mentioned reading AF.

When my folks bought some land over 25 years ago they discovered a small graveyard among some trees. I've often wondered if/how to share the names for those interested in the names/ancestors. JoAnn, is the graveyard by your lot tended or ignored?

deborah

Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "I scored Pat Conroy's new title South of Broad, though it may have to wait until January, since it has 514 pages. :) South of Broad ..."

I clicked on some GR reviews of this and just in case decided to reserve it at the library. Was surprised to find I'm only 35 in line! Guess the word isn't out yet, even with an August release.

I tend to fall asleep when I am tired. I do try and carry on readin if I can, cos sometimes the book can get better lol.

I seem to remember skiming A Dog Year and it was ok but I usually try to get the 4th chapter before I decide whether I am going to continue or not. Most of the time I try and continue sometimes I think maybe I am just not into this right now and need to try again later. The sad thing is when I am reading a book that everyone tells me is so good and I read it and I can't get through without falling asleep or forcing the reading. Sometimes at the end I say well I am glad I read that because I would not have otherwise and sometimes I am like what are they all talking about I don't see the big deal with this book being so good.

Jennifer, I hadn't got that far with the book hon. Just that I read A Dog Year and loved it. Thought this was gonna be another good book, but I could be wrong.

Don't you hate that. you buy a book or check one out of the library the jacket makes it sound pretty good and you start reading it and realize that it really is not all that great and you have wasted money but what is worse you wasted your time too. I will never get thet time back. Sometimes I force myself to continue reading just because I get so far in the book.

That was all I kept thinkin of JoAnn. Is this about just him or about the animals he is training. I might not carry on readin it yet, or I might read it when I feel like I can handle stupid readin (iykwim).

We have what I thought was a vacant lot behind our house at the beach. I came to find out that it is a totally unmarked family cemetery - the family of one of the early settlers of the town!

Fiona, why did you stop reading A Home for Rose? Was it all about HIM?

Stopped reading A Home for Rose - Jon Katz. Now readin Whistleblower - Tess Gerritsen.

Oh, and I had a nice find at another bookstore in Seattle. I wandered into Seattle Mystery Bookshop and they had a few shelf of ARC titles. I scored Pat Conroy's new title South of Broad, though it may have to wait until January, since it has 514 pages. :) South of Broad

I'm rereading Atomic Farmgirl by Terri Hein. I read it a year ago, but when I visited the little town of Fairfield, near Spokane, a couple weeks ago, I discovered that I am related to one of the women the book features. In fact, now that I have seen the area, met people, and even found my great grandfather's unmarked grave (plans are underway to mark it), the book has taken on a whole new level of meaning for me.

I dragged my traveling companion, my sister-in-law to Elliot Bay bookstore, and bought a collection of Wallace Stegner essays that made for good reading for the train ride back home.

Kim/kparksrec wrote: "I am very excited that one of my best friends from college has self-published a book and it is listed on Good Reads!"

Kim, I've been slowly putting titles from my book journals on my Goodreads shelves and discovered this way that my cousin's self-published book is also on Goodreads. How do they do that? I'm amazed.

Jan O'Cat

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Fiona, I used to read Jon Katz's books and then I started reading his blog....every day, for over a year, until I realized that I did not like him (as a person) very much.

Despite this, I tried t..."

I have only read A Dog Year. So this is a new 1 that ppl have said its a good read. Will let you know what I think afterwards.

Fiona, I used to read Jon Katz's books and then I started reading his blog....every day, for over a year, until I realized that I did not like him (as a person) very much.

Despite this, I tried to read his last book, Izzy and Lenore: Two Dogs an Unexpected Journey and Me. Well, the ME part of this title is very accurate! Here is what I wrote about the book:

This book was ME ME ME -- Jon Katz has changed from a mellow, reflective, and likable guy to someone who pats himself on the back constantly. This book was painful to listen to and I finally just stopped.

I just finished Shadow Menand wrote my review, I gave it a 4.

Finally finished the hilarous Puberty Blues - Kathy Lette & Gabrielle Carey. Will now read A Home For Rose - Jon Katz. He wrote the bestselling book A Dog Year.